Front Row at Dennis Basso

DENNIS’ 30TH: Joan Collins and Joan Rivers were among the VIPs who have walked in Dennis Basso’s fashion shows who turned up in his front row Tuesday afternoon to help celebrate his company’s 30th anniversary. Martha Stewart, Star Jones, Carol Alt and Kelly Bensimon helped keep them company. Trying to recall when she and the designer first met, Collins said with a laugh, “It is a mist of antiquity — it has been such a long, long time. I bought a fur from him and then he asked me to do his show.”

Rivers was surprisingly serious when discussing Basso. “He really knows what a woman wants and gets glamour. I’m sitting here in this marvelous sable and Star has this chinchilla. He makes you feel luxe.”

Jones agreed, noting that whether a woman is wearing one of his high-end furs or a $99 QVC faux fur, Basso designs for the masses “no matter who you are. He’s never forgotten he’s here to serve his customer.”

Courteous as he is to the women who buy his designs, Basso planned to celebrate his 30th with the guys. The designer’s husband, Michael Cominotto, planned to throw a black-tie stag party for him Tuesday night at the Georgian Suite. Hermès’ Bob Chavez, interior designer James Rixner, Colin Cowie, Hal Rubenstein and Joe Castaldo were on the guest list for the Champagne and caviar party, with Rivers expected to drop by for a late-night toast. The waiters were expected to be a bit underdressed in tuxedo vests, black bow ties and tight whities.

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